Boris Johnson backs London Poppy Day appeal, 007 style

London Mayor Boris Johnson shows his support for the most ambitious London
Poppy Day appeal ever, by making a daring James Bond-style entrance aboard
HMS Severn.

4:18PM GMT 30 Oct 2012

The Mayor of Londonlooked windswept but relaxed as he sped along the Thames on a motor boat before being winched aboard HMS Severn.

Mr Johnson admitted to having been rather nervous about the adventurous stunt, but said that, in the event, he had found it rather less stressful than expected: "If anything, in my view, the boat could have gone even faster."

He was there to launch the largest-ever London Poppy Day which, he said, would be the perfect forum for the public to show their support and gratitude for "the amazing professionalism of our armed services".

"I think people saw that during the Olympics," he continued. "They saw how many military people helped during the Games, the friendliness, the atmosphere they helped to create and I hope people respond this year with the biggest-ever Poppy Day Donation on Thursday."